WASHINGTON — A refurbishment project is needed on the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Twice a day during high tide, water will come up over the retaining wall and flood the area, damaging the trees. However, due to the massive construction project, one absolutely beloved tree would have to come down.
Stumpy is the cherry tree that refuses to die and has gained a massive following. Even though Stumpy is basically hollowed-out bark, clinging to life, the tree still continues to bloom beautifully every year.
“We have everybody’s favorite folk hero tree, Stumpy,” said Mike Litterst, the chief of communications and spokesman of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Stumpy’s condition and appearance is a result of the climate change that is forcing us to rebuild the seawall.”
Due to a $113 million refurbishment project along the Tidal Basin, Stumpy and 140 other cherry trees will have to be cut down.
“When that water comes over the sea walls, it inundates the roots of cherry trees and other trees around here,” Litterst said. “Cherry trees are not designed to get that much water every day, twice a day, brackish water coming in and inundating the roots.”
Stumpy is the only remaining tree around the area of the basin south of the Lincoln Memorial. It is empty because the National Park Service had to cut down so many damaged trees from flooding. The new retaining wall would allow more trees to be planted and grow.
Even though Stumpy cannot be saved, it still gets to live on. The National Park Service is partnering with the National Arboretum to take clippings of Stumpy. They will propagate several genetic matches of Stumpy to plant around the Tidal Basin when the project is finished. All the trees taken down will be ground into mulch that will surround and protect the trees, which will then turn into soil to help nourish new growth.
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“This would be one of the best environmental pieces that we can do for Washington,” National Cherry Blossom Festival President Diana Mayhew said. “It’s sad, but it will be a good thing. We’re not looking short term. The National Park Service is actually looking for generations to come.”
The refurbishment project starts in May and will be completed in 2027, so people still have a couple more weeks to say their goodbyes to Stumpy.
